Match Day Thread Burnley FC v Sunderland AFC – Friday 17th January 2025 - KO 20:00

[TheBronzeBummer]

Exactly it's not dropping him completely, it's rotating the squad. I'd bring Adil and Mayenda in on Tuesday, probably for Rigg and Roberts

Good shout mate, think Derby would be terrified of our counter attack potential.

 

[rooch 3]

Think some, maybe even myself said it would be good to get another striker in the door. That's what RLB wants and has said that in press conferences. Davey Jones has also said it a fair bit. We will bring another striker in I feel.

As to your question, depends on sample size and how far you go back I guess. Wouldn't see it was majority on either side.

That made me smile

 

[Prehab26]

That made me smile

Always good to smile in the morning fella. Especially on a Saturday. If you're not smiling on a Saturday then it's never a good sign!

 

[cumbrianmackem]

One of the nice things about playing on a Friday night, other than not getting beat obviously....is sitting back with no pressure and watching how the rest of our league unfolds over the weekend...little pleasures.
Here's hoping for some favourable outcomes for us.

 

[rowley]

Very happy with the lads last night. Very happy indeed. Best team against a relegated side. Burnley were hanging on.

A long time since I felt so happy with a team as I do with this one.

 

[E.T. Fairfax]

Ive never understood why players just dont put their foot through it, with a bit of lift for penalties. Power, towards the top corner. Keepers rarely save those.

 

[Frazier the Lion]

Yeah I agree. Just found it strange. For a coach who loves control, biomechanics background, he is happy to leave this sort to stuff to chance!!!

Nah it’s consistent, I think. One of the most important things to him is for the XI on the pitch to take what they are seeing and learn from it. Taking responsibility and working out what to do. It’s why he doesn’t make many subs (once again last night despite the strength of the bench). I’d expect he’ll let them work it out from here.

 

[J Flash]

Might be misremembering our fixtures but believe we have 9 of the bottom half to play at home. All to play for.

Any news on Meptham? Injury got a bit lost in the chaos at the end.

 

[steesafc]

Good shout mate, think Derby would be terrified of our counter attack potential.

Mayenda with good impact again, strong with a really good first touch then driving at the defence, they back off and he picks the pass for Wilson that leads to the foul. Hes a good player Mayenda, raw still but the thought of what he could be in a season or two is exciting.

 

[SAFCDRUM]

Well, the typical Sunderland fan in me was just relieved Burnley didn't grab a 96th minute winner.
More upset about Mepham going off than the 2 penalties.
Head up Wilson lad.

 

[Prehab26]

Nah it’s consistent, I think. One of the most important things to him is for the XI on the pitch to take what they are seeing and learn from it. Taking responsibility and working out what to do. It’s why he doesn’t make many subs (once again last night despite the strength of the bench). I’d expect he’ll let them work it out from here.

Pens are so fine margins though ain't they. Leaving it too players providers too many inconsistent variables to consider. Hopefully they get it right next time I guess. My preference would be for the head coach to pick the player prior to the game etc.

 

[Prehab26]

Might be misremembering our fixtures but believe we have 9 of the bottom half to play at home. All to play for.

Any news on Meptham? Injury got a bit lost in the chaos at the end.

Nothing yet. Hope it's not serious. One of our most important players and comfortably our best centre back.

 

[LBW]

Breaking it down is the best way to look at last night, good performance, good debut, good defensive display, clearly a better team than Burnley & 4 points prove that, more quality on the bench, a gaffer that doesn’t panic, fantastic support. Pens were disappointing but I’m more disappointed about the Mepham injury. Overall a great point and we stay in touch with new player’s potentially coming in to strengthen us.
I think we have the best run in as well

 

[Culinary]

Mayenda with good impact again, strong with a really good first touch then driving at the defence, they back off and he picks the pass for Wilson that leads to the foul. Hes a good player Mayenda, raw still but the thought of what he could be in a season or two is exciting.

I still don’t even see him as being that raw. His positioning, reading of the game, pressing (in particular) are all decent and demonstrate a reasonable footballing intelligence. His touch and technique is generally decent too.

Just needs experience and exposure now for me.

 

[Norman Stanley Fletcher]

Just watching some of the sky coverage of our game, I can’t get over how classless Trafford, but particularly CJ Egan-Riley, came across in their post match interview, utter bellends based on that - on the other hand I thought Scott Parker came across well (and I’m not usually a fan), as fair and balanced as can be expected.

I just love Le Bris - never any self promotion or self preservation (I don’t know if that would change if things were going badly), no excuses, praise for the other side, classy, respectful, good analysis and calm as you like.

Finally, have we ever wronged Curtis Davies? He seems very reluctant to ever give us any praise. It was a bit odd cutting between him saying Burnley had been by far the better side and then McAnuff saying we shaded it even without the penalties. I think Davies was about the only pundit I saw (out of about 15) not to include any Sunderland players in their team of the season thus far (at the midpoint) too.

Le Bris was so classy. When asked about Trafford’s delaying tactics, he just raised his eyebrows and with a resigned tone of voice said ‘ he was smart and it worked’. There was no hint of annoyance or aggression. Top bloke.
As for Parker he was balanced and fair, but it was significant that he said he thought ‘it was a massive point’
As for Trafford and Egan- Riley - smirking like a pair of smart arses. Well just remember boys - what goes around comes around!

 

[FellTop]

Absolute belting performance last night. To a man they stood up and performed. Our control through the middle, against another team with a dominant midfield 3, was magnificent. Full backs fixed their own challenges. ONien played brilliantly.

Le Fee looks a talent. Showed, in flashes, his ability. I thought he took a while to adapt to the pace of the game, and a couple of moments in the first half he nearly cost us, but it is clear we have signed a good un.

I stopped reading the debate on penalties at the point folk started saying Neil should have taken it off Isidor. That is unrealistic imo. I am not sure it is that common for a penalty taker, who misses one in a game, gives up the second. I think it is probably quite rare. As players, in a team, you back each other to the hilt. You dig in for each other, you have their backs and you support them. Isidor looked gutted, but see how the players got round him. See those bloody fans of ours with him at the end. We back the lad because he is doing his absolute best for us. As fans we are blessed to have this young team. That young team is blessed to have us fans too. We are in this together. I bet Wilson gets the biggest cheer at Derby. I will happily lose my voice giving the lad my full support.

My belief in our top 2 aim continues. There are clear signs we are getting better all the time, as I felt we would. We dont need much to go our way and we can do it.

Cracking thread RTB, thanks mate.

 

[Prehab26]

I still don’t even see him as being that raw. His positioning, reading of the game, pressing (in particular) are all decent and demonstrate a reasonable footballing intelligence. His touch and technique is generally decent too.

Just needs experience and exposure now for me.

His touch and tidyness on the ball, out on the wing could definitely improve IMO.

That said, he is developing well. I do see him as a striker or a very high right winger.

 

[Smug in Boots]

As to your question, depends on sample size and how far you go back I guess. Wouldn't see it was majority on either side.

Post match as I said.

I'd say it’s around 90% negative tbh.

Although you do throw in the odd scrap of praise ‘for balance’ but it’s obvious and grudging … O’Nien last night for example.

When it’s criticism you keep repeating your point endlessly when once is enough …

… can you not just lighten up man, this is just a chat forum, not an address to the nation.

 

[Prehab26]

Post match as I said.

I'd say it’s around 90% negative tbh.

Although you do throw in the odd scrap of praise ‘for balance’ but it’s obvious and grudging … O’Nien last night for example.

When it’s criticism you keep repeating your point endlessly when once is enough …

… can you not just lighten up man, this is just a chat forum, not an address to the nation.

No. I will always post as I see fit, as others should.

 

[Whittylad]

Been up with the wee one tonight since she can't sleep so watched the game back again

Overall we played really well, 1st 15 minutes was poor and we can't afford to start like that against the better attacking teams in the league - boro Leeds sheff wed are all very dangerous going forward and we have them all away soon.

Hume and Cirkin played as poor as I can remember 1st 30 minutes but loved how both worked their way into the game and dominated their wingers. Mepham started off shaky but after 10 minutes he was unreal, honestly one of the best CBs I've seen at the club. O9 was class all game, he's been poor recently imo but that was more like the O9 of this season.

Patterson was good in goals and I thought his kicking was better, a couple iffy kicks for sure but their GK had the same and he's supposed to be class with the ball at his feet

Jobe and Neil were class for me, both in different ways. Jobe pr9vided the physicality and looked to get us on the front foot so often Neil was brilliant at blocking the space and stopping Brownhill getting any success, while keeping us ticking over

Rigg drifted out the game too easily for me, I do think Le Fee will take his place in the next few weeks and I just want to see him impact games more as he's capable despite his age

Roberts was poor for me, worked hard but no real threat and needs to do more. I still feel someone who can challenge him is a must in January

Le fee is some player, some of the stuff he did tonight was just class - and that was him out of position and lacking match sharpness. His eye for a pass and close control is different to.what we have, and I can't wait to see him in a central area. I actually do get playing him wider until he's up to speed, I just don't love the balance it then brings to the team

Mayenda was very bright off the bench, loved his through ball to Isidor and I liked his shot that was blocked - brilliant defending by the lad

Finally Isidor, it was a weird night for him as I thought his all around game was good and he gave the 2 CBs one of the hardest matches they've had all season. However, you can't miss the chances he missed tonight. I do take exception to folk calling out his character tho, this is a guy that has fallen in love with this club and us and wants to do everything possible to make us successful. He took the 2nd penalty because he thought he could score, he thought he was the man to do it. I would much rather my CF did that than go hiding and pass the responsibility because he missed his previous one. As Neil says it took balls to do it and while he will be hurting more than any of us, it could be the making of him

Final word on our fans, just wow. All I could hear was you guys signing, so proud and the reception you gave isidor at the end was touching. We deserve success and I think this team might be the one to give us it. I said several times earlier in the thread how proud I am of this team, but I should have said this club - everything is pointing up and now it's for the players to go grab this chance with both hands!

Apologies for the long message, little one has ko'd on me and not wanting to wake her so you guys are getting all my thoughts lol

Top post this sums up my thoughts without writing to much.